Nose Disorders

The nose can be affected by a wide variety of conditions often resulting in a constellation of nasal symptoms including runny nose (rhinorrhea), nasal congestion or blockage, facial pain, headaches, nose bleeds, snoring and a post nasal drip.

Some common nose disorders include:

Septal deviation

The nasal septum represents a wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nose into right and left. A deviated septum most commonly is a result of nasal trauma. Sometimes patients may not notice nasal blockage until decades after the trauma. Occasionally there is no history of facial trauma and it is postulated that the septal deviation may be caused by compression of the nose during childbirth. Often patients with a septal deviation complain of persistent but fluctuating nasal obstruction, which is often worse overnight, and during exercise. Septoplasty is an operation to straighten the nasal septum and improve airflow through the nasal passages. It’s nearly always performed in conjunction with surgery to reduce the turbinates to maximise nasal breathing improvement. The surgery is performed entirely through the nostrils and should not result in any facial swelling or bruising.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis or Rhinosinusitis refers to the inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in Australia. Both acute and chronic rhinosinusitis adversely affects patient’s quality of life.

Acute Rhinosinusitis

Acute Rhinosinusitis represents a bacterial infection of the sinuses with nearly always occurs after a viral upper respiratory tract infection such as the common cold. Symptoms of acute rhino sinusitis include:

Nasal congestion

Facial pressure – especially when leaning forward,

Yellow or green discharge from the nose and or post nasal drip

Facial pain, nasal bridge discomfort or pain at the top of the head

Bad breath

Loss of smell

Cough – especially at night

Referred pain to the upper teeth

A feeling of disequilibrium due to secondary eustachian tube dysfunction

Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic Rhinosinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses that persists for longer than 3 months. The exact cause of Chronic Rhinosinusitis remains unknown and it’s thought to be caused by multiple factors including:

Allergic Rhinitis (Hayfever)

Smoking

Possible immunodeficiency

Nasal polyps

A variety of anatomical factors in the nose that impede normal sinus drainage

Symptoms of Chronic Rhinosinusitis include:

Nasal congestion or blockage

Facial pain, fullness or pressure

Mucopurulent runny nose or post nasal drip

Chronic cough especially at night

Reduced smell

Headaches

Referred pain the upper teeth

Halitosis

Intermittent ear pain due to secondary Eustachian tube dysfunction

Chronic Fatigue and/or Disequilibrium

Please see Dr Bova’s article, published in Medicine Today, on Adult Rhinosinusitis for further information.

Nasal Polyps

The overwhelming majority of nasal polyps represent inflammatory polyps resulting from chronic allergic Rhinitis. It’s not understood why some patients with chronic allergies develop nasal polyps. These polyps represent localised swellings of the nasal lining, which gradually enlarge resulting in nasal obstruction. The polyps can also obstruct the paranasal sinuses leading to secondary chronic rhinosinusitis. Patients with nasal polyps often present with symptoms similar to chronic rhinosinusitis. For a detailed overview of nasal polyp management please see Dr Bova’s article, published in Medicine Today, on Adult Rhinosinusitis for further information.

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Meet Dr Bova

Dr Ron Bova is an experienced specialist ENT, Head and Neck surgeon based at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Sydney, one of Australia’s leading Private healthcare facilities. Dr Bova and his team strive to provide you with the most dedicated, compassionate and individualised medical treatment within a comfortable and professional environment.